Structure of multipurpose fitness machine

ABSTRACT

A multipurpose fitness machine includes a bench, and an operating frame unit adapted to support the bench on the floor for operation by the user to move the bench, the operating frame unit having a U-bar, two parallel bars respectively obliquely extended from the ends of the U-bar at an angle, a cross bar connected between the U-bar adjacent to the parallel bars, two coupling tubes respectively fixedly connected the parallel bars remote from the U-bar, a tubular operation bar fastened to the transverse tubes and connected between the parallel bars, and a plurality of anti-skid foot members respectively provided at the U-bar and the cross bar.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invent relates to a multipurpose fitness machine and, more particularly, to such a multipurpose fitness machine, which is easy and inexpensive to manufacture and, practical in use.

[0002] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/791,647 (now, U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,628 issued to the present inventor) discloses a multipurpose fitness machine, which comprises a substantially U-shaped supporting frame, the supporting frame having a transverse frame section and two longitudinal frame sections respectively connected in parallel to two opposite ends of the transverse frame section at right angles, a bench pivoted to the longitudinal frame sections of the U-shaped supporting frame at one end, the bench having two longitudinal racks at the bottom side, and an operating frame unit adapted to support the bench on the U-shaped supporting frame for operation by the user to move the bench up and down. The operating frame unit comprises a U-bar, a cross bar connected between the ends of the U-bar, and two oars respectively connected to the two opposite ends of the cross bar and the two opposite ends of the U-bar by a respective ratchet connector, which enables the angular position of the oars to be relatively adjusted relative to the U-bar. This structure of fitness machine is functional, however the use of the complicated ratchet connector greatly increases the manufacturing cost of the fitness machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is the main object of the present invention to provide a multipurpose fitness machine, which has a simple structure. It is another object of the present invention to provide a multipurpose fitness machine, which is inexpensive to manufacture. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a multipurpose fitness machine, which provides multiple of operation modes. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the multipurpose fitness machine comprises a bench, and an operating frame unit adapted to support the bench on the floor for operation by the user to move the bench. The operating frame unit comprises a U-bar, two parallel bars respectively obliquely extended from the ends of the U-bar at an angle, a cross bar connected between the U-bar adjacent to the parallel bars, two coupling tubes respectively fixedly connected the parallel bars remote from the U-bar, a tubular operation bar fastened to the transverse tubes and connected between the parallel bars, and a plurality of anti-skid foot members respectively provided at the U-bar and the cross bar. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the multipurpose fitness machine comprises a supporting frame, a bench, and an operating frame unit adapted to support the bench on the supporting frame for turning by hand to lift the bench from the supporting frame when the user sits, lies, or stands on the bench. The bench comprises a rear bench unit fixedly mounted on the supporting frame, and a front bench unit pivoted to the supporting frame. The front bench unit comprises a bottom sidewall, two longitudinal bottom ribs, two longitudinal racks respectively fixedly fastened to the bottom ribs, and two bottom lugs respectively fixedly connected one end of each of the longitudinal bottom ribs and respectively pivoted to the supporting frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004]FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a multipurpose fitness machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0005]FIG. 2 is a sectional view in an enlarged scale of part A of FIG. 1.

[0006]FIG. 3 is a sectional view in an enlarged scale of the first embodiment of the present invention, showing the retaining portion of the retainer spring engaged into the retaining hole of the coupling tube.

[0007]FIG. 4 is a sectional view in an enlarged scale of a part of the first embodiment of the present invention, showing the longitudinal racks of the bench coupled to the supporting frame.

[0008]FIG. 5 shows an application example of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0009]FIG. 6 shows an action of the application example of FIG. 5.

[0010]FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a multipurpose fitness machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 8 shows an application example of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0012]FIG. 9 shows another application example of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a multipurpose fitness machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 11 shows an application example of the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 12 shows an action of the application example of FIG. 11.

[0016]FIG. 13 a multipurpose fitness machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 14 shows still another alternate form of the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 15 shows still another alternate form of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, a multipurpose fitness machine in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is shown comprised of a bench 1, and an operating frame unit 3. The bench 1 comprises two longitudinal racks 13 respectively fixedly fastened to the bottom sidewall thereof, each rack 13 having a longitudinal series of retaining notches 131, two lugs 123 respectively fastened to the bottom side wall near one side, namely, the rear side of the bench 1 and arranged in parallel, the lugs 123 each holding a respective wheel 4 for enabling the bench 1 to be moved on the floor, and a harness 5 provided at the other side, namely, the front side of the bench 1. The harness 5 is adapted to secure the user to the bench 1, comprising a fixed strap 51, and an adjusting strap 52. The fixed strap 51 and the adjusting strap 52 each have one end fixedly fastened to the bench 1 at two opposite lateral sides. The fixed strap 51 has its other end provided with a locating loop plate 53. The adjusting strap 52 has its other end adjustably fastened to the locating loop plate 63 of the fixed strap 51 by fastening means. According to the present preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fastening means is comprised of a strip of loop material 511 and a strip of hook material 522 respectively fixedly fastened to the adjusting strap 52 by stitches. The operating frame unit 3 comprises a U-bar 31, two parallel bars 33 respectively formed integral with the two ends of the U-bar 31 and obliquely extended from the U-bar 31 at an angle, a cross bar 32 connected between each connection area between the two ends of the U-bar 31 and the parallel bars 33, two coupling tubes 36 respectively fixedly connected to one end of each of the parallel bars 33 remote from the U-bar 31 at right angles, a tubular operation bar 334 fastened to the transverse tubes 36 and connected between the parallel bars 33, and a plurality of anti-skid foot members 6 respectively provided at the U-bar 31 and the cross bar 32.

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 and FIG. 1 again, the coupling tubes 36 are respectively mounted with a flexible covering 362, each having a radial retaining hole 361. The tubular operation bar 334 comprises two retainer springs 37 respectively mounted on the inside near two distal ends thereof. The retainer springs 37 each have a protruded retaining portion 371 extended out of a respective through hole on the tubular operation bar 334 and respectively releasably engaged into the retaining hole 361 of each of the coupling tubes 36 to secure the tubular operation bar 334 to the coupling tubes 36.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. from 4 through 6, when in use, the front part of the bench 1 is supported on the operating frame unit 3, enabling the middle transverse section of the U-bar 31 and the cross bar 32 to be respectively forced into engagement with the retaining notches 131 of the racks 13 of the bench 1 (see FIG. 4). When the user sits on the bench 1 and pushes the coupling tubes 36 outwards with the legs, the operating frame unit 3 is turned in one direction to lift the front side of the bench 1 from the floor (see FIG. 6). When releasing the legs from the operating frame unit 3, the gravity weight of the user forces the operating frame unit 3 to turn to its former position, and therefore the front side of the bench 1 is lowered to the floor (see FIG. 5).

[0022]FIG. 7 shows a multipurpose fitness machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment of the present invention, the multipurpose fitness machine is comprised of a bench 1, a supporting frame 2, and an operating frame unit 3. The bench 1 comprises two bottom ribs 12, two longitudinal racks 13 respectively fixedly fastened to the bottom ribs 12, the longitudinal racks 13 each having a longitudinal series of retaining notches 131, and two bottom lugs 123 respectively fixedly connected to the oblique rear end of each of the bottom ribs 12. The supporting frame 2 is a U-shaped frame having two opposite ends respectively pivoted to the lugs 123 of the bench 1, and a plurality of cushion blocks 211. The length of the two parallel frame sections 21 of the supporting frame 2 is longer than the length of the bench 1. The operating frame unit 3 comprises a tubular U-bar 31, two tubular parallel bars 33, a cross bar 32, two handlebars 38, and two pairs of pulleys 35. The parallel bars 33 are respectively obliquely formed integral with the two ends of the U-bar 31. The cross bar 32 is connected between the parallel bars 33. The handlebars 38 are respectively inserted into the parallel bars 33 and locked by a respective lock pin 39. The handlebars 38 are respectively covered with a respective flexible covering 381. The pulleys 35 are respectively mounted on the transverse middle section of the U-bar 3 and the cross bar 32 and supported on the two parallel frame sections 21 of the supporting frame 2. Alternatively, the handlebars 38 can be respectively formed integral with the parallel bars 33, or retractably adjustably fastened to the parallel bars 33 and locked by a respective lock pin.

[0023]FIGS. 8 and 9 show two application examples of the multipurpose fitness machine of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 10 shows a multipurpose fitness machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, the multipurpose fitness machine is comprised of a bench 1, a supporting frame 2, and an operating frame unit 3. The bench 1 is comprised of a rear bench unit la and a front bench unit 1 b. The rear bench unit 1 a is fixedly mounted on the supporting frame 2. The front bench unit 1 b is pivoted to the supporting frame 2, comprising two longitudinal bottom ribs 12, two longitudinal racks 13 respectively mounted on the bottom ribs 12, the longitudinal racks 13 each having a longitudinal series of retaining notches 131, a transverse bottom rib 14 connected between the longitudinal bottom ribs 12 at one side adjacent to the rear bench unit 1 a, and two lugs 123 respectively fixedly provided at the two ends of the transverse bottom rib 14. The supporting frame unit 2 is a substantially U-shaped frame having two parallel frame sections 21 respectively pivoted to the lugs 123, and a plurality of cushion blocks 211. The cushion blocks 211 are respectively provided at the bottom side of the supporting frame 2. The operating frame unit 3 comprises a tubular U-bar 31, a cross bar 32, two parallel bars 38, and two pairs of pulleys 35. The parallel bars 38 are respectively connected to the two ends of the U-bar 31 for use as handle means. The cross bar 32 is connected between the two ends of the U-bar 31. The pulleys 35 are respectively mounted on the transverse middle section of the U-bar 31 and the cross bar 32 and respectively supported on the two parallel frame sections 21 of the supporting frame 2. FIGS. 11 and 12 show the application of the multipurpose fitness machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 13 shows a multipurpose fitness machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is similar to the aforesaid third embodiment shown in FIG. 10. However, this embodiment uses anti-skid foot members 6 instead of the aforesaid rollers 5, and the operating frame unit 3 is directly supported on the floor.

[0026]FIGS. 14 and 15 show still another alternate forms of the present invention. According to these two alternate forms, only one pair of rollers 35 are used and provided at the cross bar 32 or the transverse middle section of the U-bar 31.

[0027] A prototype of multipurpose fitness machine has been constructed with the features of the annexed drawings. The multipurpose fitness machine functions smoothly to provide all of the features discussed earlier.

[0028] Although particular embodiment of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims. 

What the invention claimed is:
 1. A multipurpose fitness machine comprising: a bench, said bench comprising a bottom sidewall, two longitudinal racks arranged in parallel at said bottom sidewall, said racks each having a longitudinal series of retaining notches, two lugs respectively fastened to the bottom side wall near a rear side and arranged in parallel, and two wheels respectively pivoted to said for enabling said bench to be moved on the floor; and an operating frame unit adapted to support said bench on the floor for operation by the user to move said bench, said operating frame unit comprising a U-bar, two parallel bars respectively formed integral with two ends of said U-bar and obliquely extended from said U-bar at an angle, a cross bar connected between each connection area between the ends of said U-bar and said parallel bars, two coupling tubes respectively fixedly connected to one end of each of said parallel bars remote from said U-bar at right angles, a tubular operation bar fastened to said transverse tubes and connected between said parallel bars, and a plurality of anti-skid foot members respectively provided at said U-bar and said cross bar, said coupling tubes each having a radial retaining hole, said tubular operation bar comprising two retainer springs, said retainer springs each having a protruded retaining portion respectively releasably engaged into the retaining hole of each of said coupling tubes.
 2. The multipurpose fitness machine of claim 1 wherein said longitudinal racks are directly fixedly fastened to the bottom sidewall of said bench.
 3. The multipurpose fitness machine of claim 1 wherein said bench further comprises a hardness adapted to secure the user to said bench.
 4. A multipurpose fitness machine comprising: a bench, said bench comprising a bottom sidewall, two bottom ribs, two longitudinal racks respectively fixedly fastened to said bottom ribs, said longitudinal racks each having a longitudinal series of retaining notches, and two bottom lugs respectively fixedly connected to an oblique rear end of each of said bottom ribs; a supporting frame, said supporting frame having two opposite ends respectively pivoted to said lugs of said bench; and an operating frame unit supported on said supporting frame and adapted for operation by the user sitting on said bench to move said bench; wherein said operating frame unit is comprised of a tubular U-bar, two tubular parallel bars, a cross bar, two handlebars, and two pairs of pulleys, said parallel bar being respectively obliquely formed integral with two ends of said U-bar, said cross bar being connected between said parallel bars, said handlebars being respectively inserted into said parallel bars and locked by a respective lock pin, said pulley being respectively mounted on a transverse middle section of said U-bar and said cross bar and supported on two parallel frame sections of said supporting frame.
 5. The multipurpose fitness machine of claim 4 wherein said supporting frame comprises at least one pair of cushion blocks disposed at two sides and adapted to support said bench.
 6. The multipurpose fitness machine of claim 4 wherein said handlebars are respectively inserted into said parallel bars and selectively locked in one of a series of positions longitudinal positions.
 7. The multipurpose fitness machine of claim 4 wherein said handlebars are formed integral with said parallel bars.
 8. A multipurpose fitness machine comprising a bench; a supporting frame, said supporting frame having two opposite ends respectively pivoted to said lugs of said bench; and an operating frame unit adapted for operation by the user sitting on said bench to move said bench; wherein said bench comprises a rear bench unit fixedly mounted on said supporting frame, and a front bench unit pivoted to said supporting frame, said front bench unit comprising a bottom sidewall, two longitudinal bottom ribs, two longitudinal racks respectively fixedly fastened to said bottom ribs, said longitudinal racks each having a longitudinal series of retaining notches, and two bottom lugs respectively fixedly connected one end of each of said longitudinal bottom ribs and respectively pivoted to said supporting frame.
 9. The multipurpose fitness machine of claim 8 wherein said supporting frame comprises a plurality of cushion blocks bilaterally disposed at a bottom side.
 10. The multipurpose fitness machine of claim 8 wherein said front bench unit and said rear bench unit are disposed in a flush manner when said front bench unit is lowered and supported on said supporting frame.
 11. The multipurpose fitness machine of claim 8 wherein said front bench unit further comprises a transverse bottom rid connected between said longitudinal ribs and said lugs.
 12. The multipurpose fitness machine of claim 8 wherein said operating frame unit further comprises a plurality of pulleys respectively mounted on a transverse middle section of said U-bar and said cross bar and adapted to support said operating frame unit on said supporting frame.
 13. The multipurpose fitness machine of claim 8 wherein said operating frame unit further comprises a plurality of anti-skid foot members respectively mounted on a transverse middle section of said U-bar and said cross bar and adapted to support said operating frame unit on a flat surface.
 14. The multipurpose fitness machine of claim 8 wherein said operating frame unit further comprises a pair of pulleys respectively mounted on said cross bar and supported on said supporting frame.
 15. The multipurpose fitness machine of claim 8 wherein said operating frame unit further comprises a pair of pulleys respectively mounted on a transverse middle section of said U-bar and supported on said supporting frame. 